Easy is to judge the mistakes of others - Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes
Easy is to talk without thinking - Difficult is to refrain the tongue
Easy is to hurt someone who loves us. - Difficult is to heal the wound...
Easy is to forgive others - Difficult is to ask for forgiveness
Easy is to set rules. - Difficult is to follow them...
Easy is to dream every night. - Difficult is to fight for a dream...
Easy is to show victory. - Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...
Easy is to admire a full moon. - Difficult to see the other side...
Easy is to stumble with a stone. - Difficult is to get up...
Easy is to enjoy life every day. - Difficult to give its real value...
Easy is to promise something to someone. - Difficult is to fulfill that promise...
Easy is to say we love. - Difficult is to show it every day...
Easy is to criticize others. - Difficult is to improve oneself...
Easy is to make mistakes. - Difficult is to learn from them...
Easy is to weep for a lost love. - Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.
Easy is to think about improving. - Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...
Easy is to think bad of others - Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...
Easy is to receive - Difficult is to give
Easy to read this - Difficult to follow
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Proud mommy moment
Last night my DS made his first Magrib salaah!
We had all gotten ready and of course he didn't want to be left out, so I placed him next to DD.
Usually he performs some of the actions, pulls our musllahs, rolls around etc. But last night, he stood there and did each action properly Masha'Allah. He'd peep over at DD to see what to do next, and every now and then she'd instruct him verbally (yes, she's also still learning!). He even belted out an "Ameen".
We all made such a fuss when we were done - for him and DD !
Today he was destructive again, but the moment still shines in my heart to allow me to overlook it ;-)
We had all gotten ready and of course he didn't want to be left out, so I placed him next to DD.
Usually he performs some of the actions, pulls our musllahs, rolls around etc. But last night, he stood there and did each action properly Masha'Allah. He'd peep over at DD to see what to do next, and every now and then she'd instruct him verbally (yes, she's also still learning!). He even belted out an "Ameen".
We all made such a fuss when we were done - for him and DD !
Today he was destructive again, but the moment still shines in my heart to allow me to overlook it ;-)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Weekend in Tulbagh
We stayed at Wild Olive Farm. The camping area was not marked sites, but rather a big open lawn area. Shade was limited as there were only a few trees. Fortunately we had canopies with to keep us "cool". The farm has 3 dams, of which I saw 2 and unfortunately the water levels were too low to swim in. Ablution facilities were good - 3 bathrooms, 2 with showers and one with a bath. 
It was VERY hot and when the wind blew it was a dry, hot wind.
The kids LOVED it - from running around on the lawn, to bike riding, rolling on the lawn (DS), going to the ponies, looking for crabs and frogs at the dam, bird watching, canoe ride on the dam, playing on the lawn.
We chilled. Played scrabble, prepared eats, ate, sat, chat - what we do best ;-) And it was wonderful. The break from chores or routine was welcomed. DH and I each selected a child to care for and I got DD of course, but when she woke at night she'd call for DH, so it was very easy for me.
Moments to remember :
Day 1 we took a walk to the ponies and I saw a bird's nest. Pointed it out to DS and made such a fuss about having seen it. A little while later, I was in the tent and DH calls me, tells me to come out. Asks me to step out of the canopy, turn around and look up - the tree under which we were camped was FILLED with nests !
DS choked on a piece of chocolate ! Since it was hot, the chocolate was in the fridge and was hard. It got lodged in his throat, but he was crying so we thought he was ok. I put my finger down his throat and could feel it, it wasn't soft enough. He managed to cough and then swallow poor baby!
DS choked on a piece of chocolate ! Since it was hot, the chocolate was in the fridge and was hard. It got lodged in his throat, but he was crying so we thought he was ok. I put my finger down his throat and could feel it, it wasn't soft enough. He managed to cough and then swallow poor baby!
Highlights : STUNNING sunsets, AMAZING moon rise !
Rating: I like the camping area, but not the lack of shade. I like the location, but not the heat and lack of cooling off options. There are cabins, but other than riding my bike down a 4x4 path (which was quite fun) I don't think I'd rush back.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
scabs, roofies, scars
DD got her first knee scrape ! I was so excited and she was in horror ! "It's NOT nice!" she kept screaming at me ! Well, one day she'll think so and think back on how the scab fell off or bled or she pulled it and stare at her knees with all the scars ........
Well, here's my reminiscing - it's from an email, so I'll adjust it to my life .......
Do you remember ? The time of....
Hide and Seek in the park...or the dark...or anywhere. -remember aan-aan or on-on for the English ppl
The cafe down the road, Donkey, skipping and handstands, backyard cricket with a tomato box, Kennetjie Housie-housie, 5 stones, , building a swing from a piece of rope tied to a tree, tennis on the street or swing ball in the backyard.
Remember when there was a season for everything, before playstations and cartoon networks, computers...
The sound of the fish or fruit & veg vendor in his van. (I wish he'd still come around !)
Wicks bubble gum for a cent! Chappies, Rollerskates, BMX, go-carts (vaantjies)...
Wait, can you still remember...
Sitting at the back of a bakkie or cramming into uncle Goosain/ Hennies kombi ?
When you go to Cape Town you had to visit the gardens
Peeling skin in summer. Sticky fingers and sand in and on everything
Cowboys and Crooks, Rover, , Slides & climbing trees.
Bok-bok, marbles, yo-yo's, tops, lyntjie...10 Hocks (remember the Am I-No, Am I - No)
Running till you were out of breath. - the thought of that brings back memories
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Jumping on the bed..... Pillow fights. - can u remember a bomalakiesie(lol)
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down.
Being tired from playing... Remember that?
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
I'm not finished just yet......
Can you still taste and smell... eating jelly suckers, Surfjoy, Jillybillies... -don't forget Chocolina's, appel bompies (till u cough your lungs out)
Ice lollies made from cold drink in Tupperware holders in the freezer.
Licking the spoon when cakes were baked.......... (I always got the spoon)
Marshmallow fish and mice. - Naame lekkers
Remember when...
There were two types of takkies - North Star and the canvas ones, and the only time you wore them at school, was for "PT" in your white shorts & all.
Man from Atlantis, CHIPS, Oscar & Knersus, K-OO-S, Springbok Radio.
Shanana, Startrek, A team, Airwolf, Knight Rider... ZET,feather foot farm,MORF - hey what about Mcguyver
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends.and you knew everyone in the road, even the next road.
Nobody owned a pedigree dog!- That's right (en almal se hond se naam was either Blackie, Chico , Spots, Killer (dan is killer so maar), Lassie, Fluffy, Brakenjan, Sheeba, Tiger.)
25 cents was decent pocket money. You'd help an aunty carry her shopping home and she'd give you a 10c!!
When you'd reach into a 'slootjie' for 5 cents and felt lucky. When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there, and you could get a hiding from any of them!
And you got another if you went crying to your mom!!!
When it was considered a great privilege and very unusual to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant or in a proper hotel.
When movies in the school hall !
Remember how we used to lie on the grass & eat vrietangs & sierangs?
The reason why they tasted so sour was because dogs use to pee on them...(that was what we were told)
Remember when any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of muggings, drugs, gangs, etc..
Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat....and some of us are still afraid of them!!!
Didn't that feel good.....just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!
Remember when.... Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Nix!"
A "race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money was handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly"
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a BIC pen pea shooter or a "kettie".
Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C, Milk of Magnesia or a spoonful of castor oil.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
Skills and courage were discovered because of a "dare".
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.
If you can remember most or all of these, then....
YOU HAVE LIVED!!!!
Well, here's my reminiscing - it's from an email, so I'll adjust it to my life .......
Do you remember ? The time of....
Hide and Seek in the park...or the dark...or anywhere. -remember aan-aan or on-on for the English ppl
The cafe down the road, Donkey, skipping and handstands, backyard cricket with a tomato box, Kennetjie Housie-housie, 5 stones, , building a swing from a piece of rope tied to a tree, tennis on the street or swing ball in the backyard.
Remember when there was a season for everything, before playstations and cartoon networks, computers...
The sound of the fish or fruit & veg vendor in his van. (I wish he'd still come around !)
Wicks bubble gum for a cent! Chappies, Rollerskates, BMX, go-carts (vaantjies)...
Wait, can you still remember...
Sitting at the back of a bakkie or cramming into uncle Goosain/ Hennies kombi ?
When you go to Cape Town you had to visit the gardens
Peeling skin in summer. Sticky fingers and sand in and on everything
Cowboys and Crooks, Rover, , Slides & climbing trees.
Bok-bok, marbles, yo-yo's, tops, lyntjie...10 Hocks (remember the Am I-No, Am I - No)
Running till you were out of breath. - the thought of that brings back memories
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Jumping on the bed..... Pillow fights. - can u remember a bomalakiesie(lol)
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down.
Being tired from playing... Remember that?
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
I'm not finished just yet......
Can you still taste and smell... eating jelly suckers, Surfjoy, Jillybillies... -don't forget Chocolina's, appel bompies (till u cough your lungs out)
Ice lollies made from cold drink in Tupperware holders in the freezer.
Licking the spoon when cakes were baked.......... (I always got the spoon)
Marshmallow fish and mice. - Naame lekkers
Remember when...
There were two types of takkies - North Star and the canvas ones, and the only time you wore them at school, was for "PT" in your white shorts & all.
Man from Atlantis, CHIPS, Oscar & Knersus, K-OO-S, Springbok Radio.
Shanana, Startrek, A team, Airwolf, Knight Rider... ZET,feather foot farm,MORF - hey what about Mcguyver
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends.and you knew everyone in the road, even the next road.
Nobody owned a pedigree dog!- That's right (en almal se hond se naam was either Blackie, Chico , Spots, Killer (dan is killer so maar), Lassie, Fluffy, Brakenjan, Sheeba, Tiger.)
25 cents was decent pocket money. You'd help an aunty carry her shopping home and she'd give you a 10c!!
When you'd reach into a 'slootjie' for 5 cents and felt lucky. When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there, and you could get a hiding from any of them!
And you got another if you went crying to your mom!!!
When it was considered a great privilege and very unusual to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant or in a proper hotel.
When movies in the school hall !
Remember how we used to lie on the grass & eat vrietangs & sierangs?
The reason why they tasted so sour was because dogs use to pee on them...(that was what we were told)
Remember when any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of muggings, drugs, gangs, etc..
Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat....and some of us are still afraid of them!!!
Didn't that feel good.....just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!
Remember when.... Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Nix!"
A "race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
Money was handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly"
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a BIC pen pea shooter or a "kettie".
Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C, Milk of Magnesia or a spoonful of castor oil.
Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
Skills and courage were discovered because of a "dare".
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.
If you can remember most or all of these, then....
YOU HAVE LIVED!!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Email keeper / reminder ;-)
An Example of a Good Wife
This is a rare example of a good woman, whom I have intended to mention here:
It is reported that Shuraih, who was a judge, met ash-Sha'bi. This latter asked him about his life at home. Shuraih said: "I have not had any problem with my wife for twenty years." ash-Sha'bi said: "How come?" Shuraih replied: "On our wedding night, I looked at her and saw a rare fascinating beauty. I then said to myself: I should make Wudu' , pray two Rakaa't and praise Allah. When I finished, I found out that she was following me in prayers and finished as soon as I had finished. When the guests left the house, I moved towards her and tried to touch her. But she said: "Wait a minute 0 Abu Umayyah (i.e., Shuraih), stay where you are." Then, she said: "All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness. Peace and Blessing be upon Muhammad O. I am a stranger to you and I have no idea about your morals and attitudes. So tell me what you like and I will do it, and what you hate and I will avoid it. She
continued: There must be among your people a woman that you could have married and a man among my people that I could have married, but Allah 6* has accomplished a matter already ordained in His Knowledge. Allah has given you control over me, so obey Him; either retain me
on reasonable terms or release me with kindness. This is all I have to say and may Allah forgive us both." Shuraih, then, said: I found myself in need of giving a Khutbah, which I had not delivered for quite a long time. I said: All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His
aid and ask for His forgiveness. Peace and Blessing be upon Muhammad . You (i.e., his wife) have said many things, which, if you stand firm on them, you will be rewarded, but if you fail them, they will be evidence against you. I love such and such things, and I hate such and such things. You may spread whatever good deed you see, and conceal whatever evil deed you see. She, then, said: "What would you say to my relatives visiting?" I replied: "I do not want your family to dictate things to me." She said: "Which of your neighbours do you want to visit me? I said: "The family of such and such are good people and the family of such and such are bad company.
Shuraih, then, said. I had a wonderful wedding night and our first year was marvelous. When the new year came and upon my return from the court, I found a woman in my house. I asked my wife: 'Who is she?' My wife replied: `Your mother-in-law.' My mother-in-law looked at me and
asked: "How do you find your wife?" I sad 'The best wife a man can have.' She, then, said: '0 Abu Umayyah, you will be in a worse condition than her only in two cases: if she gives birth to a child or if she enjoys your favours. I swear that men have never been inflicted with a worse evil
than a spoilt woman. So discipline your wife. I lived with my wife for twenty years and never
complained about her, except once, and then I was unfair to her.
This is how a husband should be, how a wife should be and how a mother-in-law should be.
This is a rare example of a good woman, whom I have intended to mention here:
It is reported that Shuraih, who was a judge, met ash-Sha'bi. This latter asked him about his life at home. Shuraih said: "I have not had any problem with my wife for twenty years." ash-Sha'bi said: "How come?" Shuraih replied: "On our wedding night, I looked at her and saw a rare fascinating beauty. I then said to myself: I should make Wudu' , pray two Rakaa't and praise Allah. When I finished, I found out that she was following me in prayers and finished as soon as I had finished. When the guests left the house, I moved towards her and tried to touch her. But she said: "Wait a minute 0 Abu Umayyah (i.e., Shuraih), stay where you are." Then, she said: "All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness. Peace and Blessing be upon Muhammad O. I am a stranger to you and I have no idea about your morals and attitudes. So tell me what you like and I will do it, and what you hate and I will avoid it. She
continued: There must be among your people a woman that you could have married and a man among my people that I could have married, but Allah 6* has accomplished a matter already ordained in His Knowledge. Allah has given you control over me, so obey Him; either retain me
on reasonable terms or release me with kindness. This is all I have to say and may Allah forgive us both." Shuraih, then, said: I found myself in need of giving a Khutbah, which I had not delivered for quite a long time. I said: All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His
aid and ask for His forgiveness. Peace and Blessing be upon Muhammad . You (i.e., his wife) have said many things, which, if you stand firm on them, you will be rewarded, but if you fail them, they will be evidence against you. I love such and such things, and I hate such and such things. You may spread whatever good deed you see, and conceal whatever evil deed you see. She, then, said: "What would you say to my relatives visiting?" I replied: "I do not want your family to dictate things to me." She said: "Which of your neighbours do you want to visit me? I said: "The family of such and such are good people and the family of such and such are bad company.
Shuraih, then, said. I had a wonderful wedding night and our first year was marvelous. When the new year came and upon my return from the court, I found a woman in my house. I asked my wife: 'Who is she?' My wife replied: `Your mother-in-law.' My mother-in-law looked at me and
asked: "How do you find your wife?" I sad 'The best wife a man can have.' She, then, said: '0 Abu Umayyah, you will be in a worse condition than her only in two cases: if she gives birth to a child or if she enjoys your favours. I swear that men have never been inflicted with a worse evil
than a spoilt woman. So discipline your wife. I lived with my wife for twenty years and never
complained about her, except once, and then I was unfair to her.
This is how a husband should be, how a wife should be and how a mother-in-law should be.
Friday, April 3, 2009
The unseen
It used to scare me, especially Jinn. The older generation used to say you shouldn't talk about them because then they come! Well, Algamdulilah I have overcome that fear and can comfortably talk about beings I cannot see.
I know the kids can see things..... When DD was younger she'd say things : "Malaa'ieka in my room or bed" I used to be concerned but realised she wasn't scared of it. Once we were playing on my bed and all of a sudden she asked "Who's that?" Since no one was at our house I jumped up and asked her where, she replied "there on the grass". I couldn't see anyone. She said it was a man. So I recited the Quls and went on playing. Now DS sees things, since he cannot talk much he isn't telling us much, but often he'll wave at nothing, and go back to the same spot and wave again and again. With a movie like Tinkerbell it makes it somewhat easier to explain to the kids ..... there aren't little fairies that do the things described in the movie, but rather Allah has angels who do their part with regards to nature.
Which reminds me of another thing : Last weekend looking at the rock paintings - no one really has a clue what they mean. There was one drawing which they say looks like a praying mantis, but since the pictures are faded, half the drawing might be lost ..... anyway, I believe that the San/Bushmen like any other nation had a Prophet /Messenger and that the drawings depict the message and the strange praying mantis drawing is an angel. But that's just my guess based on a few paintings ;-)
I know the kids can see things..... When DD was younger she'd say things : "Malaa'ieka in my room or bed" I used to be concerned but realised she wasn't scared of it. Once we were playing on my bed and all of a sudden she asked "Who's that?" Since no one was at our house I jumped up and asked her where, she replied "there on the grass". I couldn't see anyone. She said it was a man. So I recited the Quls and went on playing. Now DS sees things, since he cannot talk much he isn't telling us much, but often he'll wave at nothing, and go back to the same spot and wave again and again. With a movie like Tinkerbell it makes it somewhat easier to explain to the kids ..... there aren't little fairies that do the things described in the movie, but rather Allah has angels who do their part with regards to nature.
Which reminds me of another thing : Last weekend looking at the rock paintings - no one really has a clue what they mean. There was one drawing which they say looks like a praying mantis, but since the pictures are faded, half the drawing might be lost ..... anyway, I believe that the San/Bushmen like any other nation had a Prophet /Messenger and that the drawings depict the message and the strange praying mantis drawing is an angel. But that's just my guess based on a few paintings ;-)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
FRESH AIR WANTED *cough*
The constant smoke and soot last week pretty much made us all ill. The kids and I were coughing badly. Since DS and I hardly leave the house we were affected the worse.... feeling ill didn't help, DH offered to fetch DD at school, but then we realised we missed out on our 30min of "fresh" air! So when the insurance sent an ozone team to clean up our house and requested we leave for 48hours, we made a booking at Kagga Kamma. I've always wanted to go there .....
Our accommodation was a hut - which on the outside looks very small - kinda hobbit-like, but was surprisingly spacious! With a king-sized bed and a sleeper couch. It came with all the fancies - the white towels, the toiletries, the towelling gowns, chocolates on our pillows etc. Such luxury for regular campers !
Having not camped in 10 months I was eager to get into the fresh air, to enjoy the crisp morning air with a warm cup of tea. And I was not disappointed! After a really good nights' sleep Algamdulillah, I awoke and had a cappuccino (thanks ZS!)
About Kagga Kamma - I love the cederberg area - the rich red coloured rocks and sand, the bushman artifacts : rock paintings, the shades of green in the dry arid vegetation, the sharp blue sky- it's like a painting ! If you clicked on the link you may have seen the caves which you can sleep in - I didn't get a chance to check them out, but they look interesting. Activities are based on meals and drives. So there is a morning drive returns for breakfast. Then a rock painting drive after breakfast. Lunch then videos/sport in the pub. A sun downer drive then supper. And they have a mini observatory after supper. It can fill your day!
We skipped the morning drive and opted to sleep in - the fresh air made the kids very tired and they slept like logs! The rock painting trip was .... a trip! The guide was a joke ! He decided that since most of the information are theories anyway - he'd share HIS view rather! The joke was that the German tourists looked very serious as they listened to his nonsense! Along the way we saw a few animals in the distance and there was even a rock that looked like a klipspringer !
The afternoon we needed DS to fall asleep so did our own drive through the park - but saw all of 3 animals ! So the evening we decided to join the sun downer trip and it was AMAZING! No, not for seeing game - I've seen plenty more at Addo so had low expectations - but just the amazing view from the spot the guide took us. (A different guide not he idiot from the morning !) DD was thrilled cos she saw and fed an elephant shrew. For those who don't know it's a mouse like rodent with a trunk nose - and personally only seen on tv or in magazines so it was one of that YAW! moments for us. Plus we had a professional photographer with us who offered to take a family pic (hope he emails it!)
Now on to the other activity : eating ! Meals were included in the package and since many Muslims had told me they went there, I felt comfortable requesting halaal food. The food WAS very tasty, the portions were HUGE though and though I am not one to waste I couldn't finish a meal ! Then there was an incident .... DH decided he wanted eggs .... and they included bacon - when he corrected them you could tell they just took the bacon off!! EEEEEEWWWWWWWW !!
Algamdulillah he took it as a dawah opportunity and went to the kitchen to explain - they had NO idea !!! And THAT shocked me ! And THAT turned me off the food. Though I had little choice as I wasn't able to provided my own - however, I did opt to leave early so as to skip lunch!
Another plus was eating outdoors for supper - it was lovely cool evening and the stars were our decor !
I didn't think it was a great place for kids though .... at least not my aged kids! There wasn't MUCH to do - game drives and eating are not really fun for them. There was a pool, but being ill I didn't bring bathers with and there was a little patch of lawn for them to play on. High grasses and reeds surrounded the hut and I wasn't comfortable with them playing in it.
Algamdulillah, my cough has subsided, I am relaxed, I am refreshed, I am ready for my loads of laundry that await me ....... or I might start tomorrow !
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